Who Should Submit?

I was driving out of the neighborhood the other day and saw something that made my heart twist in pain: a sheriff’s deputy car parked outside the home of one of my neighbors. Beside the deputy’s squad car was a moving truck. The woman of the house came out the front door, arms full of personal belongings. It didn’t take long to figure out what was going on. This was the sight of a broken home.

My heart weighed heavily that day, and sank even further as I learned that not one but two couples who were dear friends of my husband and I had decided to divorce. My mind wandered and my heart cried out, “Lord, what happened?  Why does this keep happening?” In the case of my neighbors, I am sad to say that I don’t know if they were believers. My friends were believers, and at one time had been very active in the church. Through heartache and prayers I again asked the Lord another question, “How can I keep this from happening in my marriage? What can I do?”

He beckoned my spirit to the Ephesians.  I had a mental conversation with Him. “Lord, submission, submission again. It can’t be just up to me.” I felt peace in my spirit as I realized He was talking about verse 5:21. The submission must be to Him. Both the husband and the wife must submit. I daydreamed of what my marriage would be like if both my husband and I fervently submitted to Lord in every area of our lives. Wow, it gives me tingles just thinking of it.

The purpose of today’s devotion is not to debate the pros and cons of submission. Nor is it to discuss the context of Ephesians chapter 5. The purpose of the devotion is to make us think. Whether you are married or single, this verse applies to you. Submitting to God is not an option. It is God’s prescription for a world of peace. In a world where everyone submitted, God would be heard by all His children and they would willingly and delightfully obey. In this world families would stay together, murders would cease, and kindness would abound. Wouldn’t you like to live in a world like that? It would be heaven on earth!